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As an Indians fan, this list brings back memories of two guys who were going to be "the next Thome".

Richie Sexson had a great rookie season in 1998 (only played in 5 games in '97), a mediocre '99 and then came out of the gate slow in '00 and was moved to the outfield full time. So he ended up getting traded to Milwaukee for a trio of pitchers (including soon-to-be closer Bob Wickman). He went on to have a nice, albeit brief career with lots of power. In Milwaukee he became the power-hitting first baseman the Indians wanted him to be, so perhaps they gave up on him too soon.

Russell Branyan showed a lot of power early in his career. He also had a habit of swinging at everything and often missing. His BA never came around and the Indians gave up on him in '02. He never went on to much of anything, and even came back to Cleveland for part of last year. His only real distinction is that he's managed to play for 9 different teams. So maybe he'll stick around for a few more years and go for the record.

Sam Horn and Kevin Maas. Twin sons of different mothers. They even live on with their respective Red Sox and Yankee fan bases with online message boards and blogs named after them, SonsofSamHorn.net and NoMaas.org.

During Maas' streak I think I remember the Yankee announcers saying that he hit his first 10 homers in fewer at bats that anyone else. I am not a PI subscriber but I was able to determine that only one player hit 10 HRs in his first 25 games. Maas' game log shows that he hit 10 homers in his first 25 games in 79 at bats. Can anyone out there verify it that Maas does hold that record?

Here in Pittsfield, Mass. (all the way over on the other side of the state) Sam Horn was something of a cult hero when his New Britain Red Sox teams would visit the Pittsfield Cubs.

My older cousin used to take us to games at Wahconah Park. He had such a loud booming voice, that he used to be able to get opposing catchers to jump out of their crouch, ready to throw to second, simply by shouting, "He's going!!!" with a runner on first.

Well, once when Sam Horn was on deck, the New Britain player at the plate was plunked. Sam was over checking on him when my cousin shouted, "You're next Horn!!!" He turned toward us with the biggest smile on his face. Later that same game, he came up with the bases loaded and smacked a pitch off the wall in the farthest part of right/center field (about 420 feet back then). After the game I was getting Sam's autograph when my cousin chimed in, "That pitcher came kinda close to you. You should have gone out there and nailed him." Sam's response? "I did... for three runs." Classic.

Thanks for the compliment. Pittsfield actually has a pretty good baseball history. The first collegiate baseball game ever was played here. Wahconah Park is one of the nation's oldest parks, and is the only baseball park (I believe) that is built backwards - so that the setting sun is directly in the batter's eye.

Also, a few years ago, John Thorn discovered a document in our library with a reference to baseball in 1791 - the earliest documented reference to the game we all love.

@12, If I had to guess, he probably had a problem hitting a break ball, or something else MLB pitchers figured out. He was already 25 by the time he reached the majors, which is not exactly a sign of pending dominance, although another organization might have moved him a little guicker. Overall,though, I agree. Beyond his quick burst on the scene, his minor league numbers and good eye at the plate seemed to indicate he could hit enough to crank out at least 20 HRs a year for a few more seasons.

I guess that's why I compared Horn and Maas. Both burst on the scene and faded away, yet both are still remembered to this day.

Thanks Neil for the advice, I will consider it but I enjoy figuring out how to extract data without subscribing. I can't extract everything but certain things I can.

I did what I should have done earlier, I googled Kevin Maas. He holds the record with his first 10 HRs in 72 at bats. He also holds the record with 15 HRs in 133 at bats, breaking Wally Berger's record